| Credit cards can be like jewels. Some can be | | | | directions for getting them fixed. |
| very good, while others can be just average. | | | | |
| There are credit cards that have reputations | | | | Another issue you want to know about before |
| as being elite, hard to get, and very | | | | applying for the best credit cards is how |
| prestigious. The general consensus is that | | | | long you have had credit. In simple terms the |
| these are also the most difficult cards to | | | | longer you have had open accounts the better. |
| get. Many people believe that if their credit | | | | All credit card issuers want customers who |
| isn't prefect or if they are not over a | | | | have had some history with credit. This can |
| certain age, these cards are all but | | | | be especially true with the better credit |
| impossible to be approved for. | | | | cards. If you can count your credit history |
| | | | in months rather than years you may want to |
| The truth is very few people have perfect | | | | postpone applying. |
| credit, and age is far less important than | | | | |
| other criteria in determining whether or not | | | | The last issue that most consumers worry |
| an individual will be granted a particular | | | | about when thinking of applying for a highly |
| card. | | | | thought of credit card are late payments. |
| | | | Your history of late payments will be on your |
| There are a few things that you should | | | | credit reports. Take a good look at that. If |
| consider before applying for one of the very | | | | you missed a payment or two in the past, that |
| best credit cards. Knowing in advance where | | | | will not, usually, disqualify you for a |
| you stand is always a good idea, and it may | | | | better-than-average credit card. However, if |
| save you the trouble of applying for a card | | | | you have several late payments it certainly |
| that you probably cannot qualify for. | | | | might. |
| | | | |
| How is your past credit? That is one of the | | | | You also want to make sure that you do not |
| most important questions that you need to | | | | have any late payments still outstanding. If |
| answer. The very best way to know what your | | | | you do, you will need to get those cleared up |
| past credit history looks like is to get | | | | as quickly as possible before you apply for |
| copies of all three credit reports that are | | | | the new line of credit. |
| currently being held on you. Federal law | | | | |
| mandates that all consumers be given one free | | | | Should you discover that you are not ready |
| copy of their credit report from each agency | | | | for that great new card, don't despair. You |
| once a year. You have to request the reports | | | | can always work on your credit now and apply |
| and you can do that online. | | | | for the card later on. Many individuals will |
| | | | discover that with a little fiscal work they |
| Check your reports when they arrive and make | | | | can clean up their credit reports in as |
| sure all the information is correct. If there | | | | little as six months. |
| are mistakes, make sure you follow the | | | | |